Go Back   Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum > Specific Model Areas > Sportster General Discussions

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-06-2009, 12:59 PM   #1 (permalink)
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 21
Engine fin cleaning ?

I ride on a dusty road and the area inbetween the cooling fins gets quite grungy. I tried cleaning this area with a rag wrapped around a popsicle stick and it does a poor job and is really time consuming. What do you use to clean this area which might be a better solution to what I am using?

Thanks
Mueller
Mueller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 01:15 PM   #2 (permalink)
Member
 
seVer916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 80
it depends on how dedicated you are.

the best way to ensure clean fins is probably a toothbrush.

but a faster way would probably be like an automotive brush or something to that effect. basically, something with semi-soft bristles that are long enough, and will not only scrub off the crap, but also not scratch the finish.
__________________
Rubber side down; Shiny side up.
seVer916 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 01:30 PM   #3 (permalink)
"GONE FISHING"
 
gruss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UTAH
Posts: 10,970
Images: 29
power wash that sucker....it isnt gonna hurt it....just avoid the seal areas, and wheel bearing surfaces...IMHO
__________________
I didnt buy a sportster because I wanted a Harley, I bought a Harley because I wanted a sportster.
gruss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 01:37 PM   #4 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Bonsai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 720
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mueller View Post
I ride on a dusty road and the area inbetween the cooling fins gets quite grungy. I tried cleaning this area with a rag wrapped around a popsicle stick and it does a poor job and is really time consuming. What do you use to clean this area which might be a better solution to what I am using?

Thanks
Mueller
Living on a dirt/pothole/gravel/fines road I know what you're talking about. Especially in the dry times.

Anyway....my wife and I use all the methods you can think of and the short version is nothing cleans them better than time. It's a pain in the ass....

A good blast from a water hose and a soft long bristle brush isn't bad.

Best advice I have is to stay on top of it and it doesn't take as long.



PS Sucks cleaning your bike and riding 1/2 mile to the paved road and it's covered in dust. :
__________________
Patience is a virtue but flipping someone off feels better.
Bonsai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 01:37 PM   #5 (permalink)
Reverand Dave
 
Dave63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PA
Posts: 11,338
Quote:
Originally Posted by gruss View Post
power wash that sucker....
Won't remove it....AND too much pressure. If you have polished fins, you risk catching the edge of the powdercoating and blowing some of that off, as well.

Go to your local dollar store. Buy a $1.00 poly-based feather duster. They're multi-colored....:lol8 It's actually called a "Static Duster".

Dip it in warm water/soap and run it between the fins. Cleans it right out......

Hang it up to dry and wa-la. I've got one 3 years old.

__________________
DISCLAIMER: Any information, advice, or tech information I give is based on my opinions. Do not try this at home. I am not a perfeshunel mekanic.

**********
Dave63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 01:37 PM   #6 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Sportster883Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 113
i use a mother's power ball. it hooks onto a drill. it works great.
Sportster883Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 01:39 PM   #7 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Bonsai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 720
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave63 View Post
Won't remove it....AND too much pressure. If you have polished fins, you risk catching the edge of the powdercoating and blowing some of that off, as well.

Go to your local dollar store. Buy a $1.00 poly-based feather duster. They're multi-colored....:lol8 It's actually called a "Static Duster".

Dip it in warm water/soap and run it between the fins. Cleans it right out......

Hang it up to dry and wa-la. I've got one 3 years old.


Shit!


That's a damn good idea Dave.



__________________
Patience is a virtue but flipping someone off feels better.
Bonsai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 02:46 PM   #8 (permalink)
Stranded.....in Iowa
 
IAGlide's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 284
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonsai View Post
Shit!


That's a damn good idea Dave.



Just make sure the wife doesn't use it to dust the coffee table after you've used it.
IAGlide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 03:28 PM   #9 (permalink)
SNAFU organizer
 
vlade's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 4,196
Yea the feather duster works, Wifes still lookin for hers she wouldnt wanta see it now. Another product i been using is S100 engine brightener turns it black again after they take on that brownish grayish patina
vlade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2009, 03:33 PM   #10 (permalink)
Florida cracker
 
zeta7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,623
Images: 45
I use eagle wheel cleaner, then a wheel brush. looks like new. My motor is spotless.
__________________
Quote:
To everyone who is serving or have served in our great military,God bless you an thank you.
Some People are only alive..
Because it's illegal to kill um



05 Bagster, 883/1200 conversion. S/E heads w/ 55cc combustion chambers,decked .050, oversized valves. Andrews N6 cams, S/E 11.3 to 1 forged pistons.Fueling race lifters, Mikuni HSR 42 Carb.7000 RPM S/E ignition, K&N air filter, V&H straightshots.
zeta7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:14 PM.

Motorcycle News, Videos and Reviews
Kawasaki ForumDucati ForumHarley DavidsonYamaha R1BMW S1000RR Forum
Vulcan Forums Ducati MonsterV-Rod Forum Yamaha R6 Kawasaki Z1000
Kawasaki ZX Forum Honda 600RR Harley ForumYZF-R6 ForumSportbike Forum
Kawasaki ZX-10RHonda 1000RRSuzuki SVYamaha FZ8Can Am Spyder
Kawasaki KLR 650Honda RC51Suzuki V-StromStar Motorcycles Aprilia Forum
Kawasaki VersysHonda FurySuzuki GSXR Triumph ForumKTM Forum
Kawasaki EX-500Honda GoldwingGSX-R ForumTriumph 675Victory Forums

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.2
This site is in no way affiliated with Harley-Davidson